Abstract: An apparatus and method for topographically characterizing a workpiece. The method includes scanning a first surface of a workpiece with a scanning probe at a first resolution to derive a first topographical image, and performing a refining operation on the first topographical image to obtain a true first topographical image. The method also includes scanning, with the scanning probe, a surface of interest of the workpiece, which is a sub-portion of the first surface, at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution to derive a second topographical image. The second topographical image is scaled down to the first resolution. The method further includes performing a pattern recognition operation to substantially match the scaled-down second topographical image to a corresponding sub-portion of the true first topographical image. The matched sub-portion of the true first topographical image is employed to refine the second topographical image.

Abstract: A seal-less, magnetic drive pump for pumping fluids at very low temperatures below about −100 degrees centigrade such as liquid nitrogen and at cryogenic temperatures below about −150 degrees centigrade such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). The pump includes a housing having an intake and exhaust with a back plate mounted therein in which a shaft is journaled in self-lubricating ball bearings having metallic balls and races and having polymeric ball retainers. An impeller is mounted on the first end and a first magnet is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A second magnet is positioned so as to rotate around the first magnet to rotate the impeller. The first magnet is encased in a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the magnetic material.

Abstract: A seal-less, magnetic drive pump for pumping fluids at very low temperatures such as liquid nitrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The pump includes a housing having an intake and exhaust with a back plate mounted therein in which a shaft is journaled. An impeller is mounted on the first end and a first magnet is mounted on the second end of the shaft. A second magnet is positioned so as to rotate around the first magnet to rotate the impeller. The first magnet is encased in a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the magnetic material.

Abstract: A novel reciprocating pump for cryogenic fluids. The pump has a cylinder sleeve, head, intake valve, discharge valve, and a reciprocating piston including a mechanical spring energized seal having a generally U-shaped jacket and a helical spring in the bight of the U.

Abstract: A novel reciprocating pump for cryogenic fluids having a super-low NPSH requirement. The pump has a spring-loaded intake valve made of magnetic material and a reciprocating piston having a permanent magnet at its head end. The intake valve is positioned such that when the piston is at or near the top of its stroke, the magnet will tend to pull said intake valve into an open position. The pump also preferably includes a mechanical spring energized (MSE) seal on the upper end of the piston.